Their moods had much improved by the time evening came. Given the chance to reflect and come to terms with things, sharing their pain and intimacy, they felt much better. It was evening by the time they woke up, more due to the loud knock on their door than because they wanted to. They weren't stuck together as Nines had feared, but Gavin's limp cock had remained in his passage, the earlier spill sticky between them. Nines almost glared as Gavin pulled out. He'd wanted to wash before falling asleep. Gavin gave him a sheepish shrug before grabbing his pants, letting Nines hurry off to the bathroom to clean up out of sight.

"Gavin! Are you almost ready? Dinner will be ready within the hour." Opening the door, he found Elijah already dressed in one of his better suits. Gavin frowned at that. They were having a formal dinner? Already? "Lord Alderton had his staff hastily prepare a modest feast for the household. Everyone is meeting in the dining hall at seven." Gavin checked the clock ticking away on the wall. It was almost six twenty already. That was cutting it a little close, but they'd been sleeping. There was a good chance someone had stopped by earlier and they'd missed the call.

"Alright, we'll see you down there." Once Elijah was gone, he hurried into the bathroom to tell Nines. Luckily, the bath was already half full and Nines was already done with cleaning up the earlier mess. "Dinner in forty minutes." He pressed a gentle kiss against Nines' lips as he delivered the news, sighing and nuzzling into his bare shoulder. On any other night, he'd say to hell with dinner and stay in their room, but with the lord of the house arranging things, it was best not to. He didn't want to be rude and sour the mood, or damage Elijah's reputation. Nines seemed to share his feelings as he sighed. "Maybe we'll get more in the spirit of things once we're down there."

"Perhaps." Nines wasn't going to bet money on it though. He was pretty tired, and the thought of curling up with Gavin and going back to sleep was far more appealing than going down to eat and socialise. I should probably check on Dad again, at least. He'd been in high spirits when they left earlier, so he was probably still drinking with Allen and Jeffery. With that in mind, he climbed into the bath to clean up properly. He shuffled back to make room as Gavin joined him, their legs tangling beneath the surface.

Unfortunately, they didn't have time for him to enjoy Gavin's body as it deserved. He restrained himself and scrubbed clean, though he enjoyed the view as Gavin did the same. They were soon ready to go downstairs, both dressed smartly. It had been quite a task to get Gavin's collar straight and his tie neatly knotted. Nines had smirked more than once as he huffed and sighed, tying and retying the knot at his throat until he gave in and asked for help.

It was busy by the time they reached the dining hall, which had been filled with even more tables to accommodate everyone. The giddy feeling had clearly held out. The hall was full of patients in wheelchairs, on crutches, wearing slings, with empty sleeves tucked into military jackets or prosthetics strapped in place. It wasn't just the patients. Maids, valets, cooks, stable hands, drivers, nurses, officers, regulars, and even the family of the house were dressed up and wandering through the hall. It was rare, and likely unique, but the entire household had come together to share the relief and joy that the end of war brought.

With so many people, tables and chairs had been brought from all over the house. Many didn't match in height or style. They were lined up in rows where possible, or scattered evenly to allow more people to sit. It was the same with the chairs. The regular dining chairs were there, mixed with battered stools, vanity chairs and deck chairs from all over the house. Nines soon spotted their small group up at the main table with the Aldertons. Elijah clearly knew the lord well. They were deep in conversation as Nines guided Gavin through the crowd.

"Ah! Lord Alderton, this is my brother, Sergeant Reed, and Lieutenant Anderson. They've been patients here these past few months." Gavin shook Alderton's hand awkwardly and accepted the offer of a seat. Nines quietly took the place beside him, both of them nodding along to whatever Elijah said. It was better to let Elijah lead things. He was more experienced with these upper class nobles. Nines was somewhat relieved to see that Hank had managed to keep himself amused. Lady Alderton seemed to be enjoying whatever story he was telling immensely, and Captain Allen was a hit with one of the younger ladies as well.

Looking around, it seemed like the celebrations hadn't stopped all day. Jovial voices were still raised in song. Drink was still flowing. Household staff mingled with wounded soldiers and nurses. As the food was brought, Gavin was amazed that they'd had time to put such a banquet together. He wasn't sure if they'd sent staff into town for more supplies or if they'd had a stock of food in reserve for such an occasion. Either way, there was enough to feed a small army. The cooks must have been busy all day preparing. Once the meal arrived, the lord of the house stood and a respectful silence fell. He seemed to hesitate a moment as he gathered his thoughts.

"We have all lost much in this war...Sons, nephews, cousins, brothers, fathers, uncles...Many of those here have suffered terrible injuries and losses...This war is the worst the world has ever seen, and I pray-I pray it never sees another like it." A quiet flutter of applause and murmured agreements flurried through the crowd before he continued. "The Great War has ended, and we shall, of course, celebrate our victory, but it is also important to remember those who were lost along the path to victory...I propose we now fall silent as we respect and remember all those who were lost." There was a solemn murmur of agreement before the silence fell.

It was an almost haunting silence. Grim and cold. Heads lowered, and not a sound could be heard at first. The occasional rustle of clothing or sniffle of silent tears could be heard, but nothing else. Not a whisper was spoken. Each sat alone with their own thoughts. Thoughts of loss. The silent yearning for the time before. A time they could never go back to. The war had changed the world forever. Changed them forever.

Gavin reached across beneath the table to grip Nines' hand. He had a lot of men to think about. His original regiment who'd fallen within the first few months. The young men who'd replaced them. Miller, who'd survived longer than most. Pearson, Ripley, Jackson, Jenkins. Men who were too young to have died so soon. Connor, too gentle to have been on the front at all. Sixty, a live wire who went out as he'd always lived. His own pain and injuries. Allen, Jeffery, and all the other men who suffered with him. He felt Nines grip back as he shared similar thoughts. His twin brothers. The hundreds of patients he'd worked on. The men he'd hauled back from the front. Those he'd saved. Those he'd lost.

He knew the others would be lost in their own thoughts. Hank would be thinking of his lost sons. The cruelty of losing them so young and so close to the end. The relief at finding Nines alive and well. He'd written back to Connor, saying he'd box Sixty's ears for what he'd done to Nines upon their return. If he could see him now, he'd kiss him instead. Allen was also thinking of Sixty. The time they'd shared. The time they'd never have. Elijah mourned the loss of the men he'd met and the suffering of those he treated every day. Chloe thought of Connor. The flutters she'd felt in his presence, the warmth he'd given her, and the lost time they could never get back. Futures left in ruins.

Gavin didn't know how long it was, but the gentle ting of a spoon on glass signalled the end. The forlorn feelings lingered awhile before the merriment returned. Lord Alderton invited them all to toast the end of the war and enjoy the feast. The silence had actually done some good. The mood seemed lighter than before. Gavin and Nines spoke in gentle murmurs and occasionally joined in the wider conversations if they were asked. After a drink or two, Gavin worried less about saying the wrong thing, and Lord Alderton seemed so merry he likely wouldn't have noticed anyway.

The frivolities continued after dinner when the tables were cleared and moved aside. There was singing and dancing long into the night with many drinks and games to be had. Handshakes and kisses were shared. Relief and joy swept the entire estate. Gavin was sure the rest of the country would be the same, if not most of the world. It wasn't over, but it was over for now, and healing could begin. He'd been in the army for a while. He knew it would take a few months, if not a couple of years, to sort everything and pull out completely, but hopefully, no more lives would be lost.

With the inside so lively, Nines and Gavin quietly slipped out to the patio. A few others had the same thought. A maid and injured officer were sharing secret kisses in a shadowed corner, a nurse was chiding her wheelchair bound patient for smoking, and a couple of young men were sitting on the patio wall a few feet away. Nines guided Gavin to an empty section of wall and rested him on the edge. Gavin was grateful for the seat. It was still a little taxing to stand in one place for too long. He smiled as Nines took his cane and stepped between his thighs.

"If we stay out here too long, I'm going to freeze my ass off." Gavin could see his own breath clouding on the breeze as he spoke. He was relieved he'd worn his military jacket over his shirt. His hands were already feeling the chill as he fisted them in his lap. Nines huffed softly as he reached down and took his hands, rubbing them between his own and resting them against his stomach.

"A true tragedy." Gavin snorted. Of course, Nines would mourn the loss of his ass. "How do you feel?" It was a pretty loaded question, considering what they'd been through earlier. It was great news that the war was pretty much over for their side, of course. He was happy about that. How could he not be?

"It's a lot...but I feel pretty good about it, you know? We made it through...Not everyone can say that, so we should make the most of it." Gavin was right. Nines knew that. Hard as it was, he knew he had to put his grief aside and keep going in the long run. For now, it was too close. He'd mourn his brothers awhile longer, but Gavin was right. Sixty had saved him for a reason. He owed it to them to live his best life. He pulled Gavin closer as he noticed him shiver, rubbing up and down his back to warm him.

"When I return to America, I'm going to open my own practice, as I planned before...Will you come with me, Gavin?" His chest tightened with anxiety as he voiced the question. Part of him knew he needn't worry about the answer, that Gavin would go with him anywhere. The other part was worried about him changing his mind. He looked down as Gavin's head pushed into his abdomen and his arms looped around his waist.

"To New York?" he asked as he looked up.

"That's what I'd planned, though I have no objection to going to Detroit instead...It would be closer to my father and your family." Gavin almost scoffed at the word family. He had Elijah, but he wasn't entirely sure when, or even if, he and Chloe planned on moving back to America. They wouldn't be able to stay at the Alderton estate forever, but there was probably a hospital in the city he could move to. He was helping people here. Making a difference. "I don't care as long as I'm with you."

"You're such a phcking sap!" Judging by the tightening of his arms and the increased pressure on his abdomen, Nines assumed that was a good thing. He smiled as he laced a hand in Gavin's hair and stroked, still waiting for an answer. "Of course I'll go with you, idiot. What did you think? That I bought you a ring so you could run off and leave me?" Nines held him tighter as he answered, warmth swelling in his chest. "I don't know how much good I'll be though...I'm officially out of a job."

"You don't have to work." Gavin recoiled at the thought. He didn't want to be a leech. He wasn't some woman to be kept and coddled. There was plenty of money in his account from his years of loyal service. He wasn't the family motivated, stay at home type. The problem was, he had no idea what he'd be able to do with his leg the way it was. "You can work, but I want you to know that you don't have to." Gavin nodded, feeling somewhat subdued as he pictured the future. He had no idea what it had in store for him, but he felt a little better as he looked up and knew that he wouldn't be facing it alone.